Aaron Judge has finally spoken on Juan Soto's move from the New York Yankees to the Mets, saying he disagrees with his old teammate's view that he's more likely to win the World Series in Queens. 

Soto partnered up with Judge for a gripping year with the Yankees that took them all the way to the World Series, where they lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Left-handed slugger Soto then went into free agency before signing one of the most lucrative deals in the history of sport - a 15-year, $765million contract - to ditch the Yankees and pledge his future to their nearest rivals.

'He got a pretty nice deal over there,' Judge said with a smile as he returned to spring training with the Yankees on Monday. 'You can't say no to that.'

Judge took a more serious tone when it was put to him that Soto fancied his title chances more with the Mets.

'That's his opinion, he can say what he wants,' the Yankees captain said. 'I definitely disagree with him.

'I wasn't too surprised by it. I think that is where he wanted to be. I think that is where is best for him and his family. I'm happy for him.

'He's going to be in a great spot. It's going to be great having him in town, we are going to be battling back and forth for quite a few years. I'm definitely happy for him.' 

One repercussion for Judge being without Soto is that he could now move up to second in the batting lineup, out of his favored position in third.

'I'd love to hit third again, I've told him (manager Aaron Boone) that since the first day but I've always been about wherever you need me,' Judge said.

'Hitting second, hitting last, I'll be anywhere that shapes this lineup the way we need to. We've got a lot of different guys, a lot of good, different options. I'm excited to watch Jasson Dominguez have a full year, healthy year.'

As well as the reemergence of Dominguez, the Yankees recruited Paul Goldschmidt, Cody Bellinger and pitchers Max Fried and Devin Williams.

There are concerns over designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton, however. He is dealing with 'quite a lot of pain' from tennis elbow and is a doubt to be ready for opening day at the end of March.

The Yankees life the curtain on the new season on March 27 at home to the Milwaukee Brewers.